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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Lucky Okoro <okorolucky5@gmail.com>
Reply-To: lucky_okoro@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 14 May 2014 11:44:52 +0100
Subject: Inquire
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Dear Sir,
I got your company information through an exhaustive search in the
internet. I am Licensed government agent of Ecowas,Ghana.
My scope is basically searching for foreign companies to bid for
government contract on commission basis. We receive 3% commission from
the seller/contractor in any successful government contract generated
by my agency.
We facilitate the award of government contracts on the following
categories: Supply, Construction, Consultancy and Work.
Your products are needed by the Ecowas on contract supply basis
through the Central Tender Committee (CTC).
Payment of every government contract in Ghana is by 100% bank swift
transfer (TT) in advance immediately every contract formality is
completed.
We are respectfully inquiring if your company will be interested to
supply your products to the government of Ghana on contract basis with
us as the intermediary agent?
1) Your price list
2) Comprehensive details/information of your products
3) Your company profile
Thanks for your kind understanding and I wait for your reply.
Best regards
Lucky Okoro
Lucky Traders
Accra-Ghana
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